A Princess Story

In the movie, The Princess Diaries, Anne Hathaway plays Mia Thermopolis, a less than ordinary fifteen-year-old girl who lives in San Francisco with her single mother. Clumsy and unpopular, Mia’s goal in life is to be invisible. And she’s very good at it. That is, until a relative arrives to inform her that her father, who she has only contacted through letters, is Prince of the distant country of Genovia, making her a Princess and heir to the throne of Genovia.

Perplexed at the prospect of being a Princess, upset that she had been lied to all these years by her mother, and feeling inadequate for the task expected of her, Mia is ready to renounced the crown, to remain in San Francisco. Urged to take Princess lessons and at least consider the option until Genovia’s Annual Ball, she agrees and begins taking lessons from the royal family and soon Amelia, as her royal relative calls her, gradually begins to transform into a Princess, but it’s hard work.

As the difficulties rise, she begins to feel that the task is beyond her abilities and again is ready to renounce the crown and run away from the whole mess when she discovers an old letter from her father which changes her mind. The letter from her father stirs in her a devotion that inspires her to accept the challenge and live out the dream of becoming a Princess.

Sure, its great in fairy tales, but this has little to do with real life, right? Actually, the story of Amelia has everything to do with real life. Let’s look at some real life lessons we can learn from the tale of The Princess Diaries. First, Mia had a father in a distant country who was a Prince. Her father loved her dearly and wanted the  best for her. Similarly, you have a royal “Father” in heaven who loves you dearly and has your highest interest in mind (Matt. 7:11). Whether you know it or not, your heavenly Father loves you dearly (See John 3:16).

In addition, Mia was living like a normal person, but she was actually a part of the royal family, just like you. The Bible says that Jesus is a Prince (Isa. 9:6; Dan. 9:25), He has redeemed you (1 Pet. 1:128, 19), and He wants you to be heir to His throne, a part of the “royal” family (1 Pet. 2:9). Sadly, many go through life after the pattern of the world, indulging in many of the customs of the world that are detrimental to their spiritual lives instead of striving to pattern their lives after a higher standard of royalty.

Just as Mia had been lied to about her heritage all her life, the devil has lied to you in so many ways. One way the devil lies to us is by telling us that we evolved from apes, when we were actually created by God. Just as it took a distant relative to come and inform Mia that she was part of a royal family and had a mansion awaiting her in a distant country, Jesus came down to earth to inform us that we are children of a royal family and that we have a mansion awaiting us in heaven.

Now, as Mia realized that she was part of a royal family, she had to strive to live up to a higher standard. While her behavior was acceptable to normal people, it didn’t meet royal standards. Similarly, what is acceptable in the world is not acceptable to God. It is not safe to compare our lives with those around us who are living according to worldly standards (See 2 Cor. 10:12). Royalty is called to live by higher standards. The good news is that God will help us reach that standard.

In order to live right, Mia had personal training. At the same time, she was prone to mistakes, of which she made many. Similarly, God has promised that if we will choose to follow Him, He will not only train us, but He will empower us and get us to that royal standard (See Heb. 12:2; Phil. 3:12; 1 John 3:2).

Still, due to her shortcomings, Mia began to despair, tempted to give up on her royal heritage. That is, until she was encouraged by a letter from her father. Similarly, we are often tempted to give up the Christian life but God is encouraging us through His word to, “Hold on. Stick with it.” As Mia stuck with it, she was gradually transformed into a Princess. Similarly, as we stick with Christ we are gradually transformed into the image of royalty.

As the movie draws to an end, Mia had a choice to make. Similarly, you have a choice. You have been lied to. You did not evolved from apes. You are part of a royal family. Don’t miss out on the story of your life. This is your real life fairy tale. Your heavenly Father has a mansion waiting for you. Don’t miss it.